The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated 120 fake bags of rice from various shops in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
A statement by the NAFDAC Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the South-South zone, Cyril Monye, said the discovery was made during a raid conducted in collaboration with Big Bull, a rice production company.
The statement quoted NAFDAC Coordinator in Rivers State, Pharm. Emmanuel Onogwu, as warning both traders and consumers to be cautious of fake and rebagged rice being sold by fraudulent individuals.
He stated that the agency, working alongside producers of Big Bull rice, raided shops at Woji, Mile 3, and Mile 1 markets in Port Harcourt, where fake Big Bull rice was being sold.
During the operation, a shop located in the YKC axis of Woji, Port Harcourt, suspected to be a major supply point for the counterfeit rice, was found with large quantities of empty fake Big Bull rice bags along with other brands, including Cap Rice, Stallion Rice, Tomato Rice, and Mama Pride. A salesgirl, who identified herself as Ogechi Okafor, was also arrested at the shop.
Other recovered items included sewing and sealing machines, a generator set, a stove, thread, and bags of already rebagged rice.
Onogwu advised the public to look out for distinctive features that separate the original Big Bull rice from fake products.
He highlighted some of these features, stating, “Consumers should check for the shiny ribbon that runs across the threaded top, the high quality of the bag, and the original logo.”
He further warned that rebagged rice comes from questionable sources and is often polished with chemicals to make it look more appealing.
